Toddler Milestones: Your Baby’s Development at 1 Year

Ages and Stages - 1 Year

1 Year Old Toddler Developmental Milestones

After a baby’s first birthday, the rate of growth begins to slow down. Your baby is now a toddler and is very active. If your toddler isn’t walking yet, he or she will soon. Walking offers chances for exploring areas that were previously out of reach, and for practicing independence.

Doctors use milestones to tell if a toddler is developing as expected. There’s a wide range of what’s considered normal, so some children may gain skills earlier or later than others. Toddlers who were born prematurely may reach milestones later. Always talk with your doctor about your child’s progress.

1 Year Old Developmental Areas

What can a 1 Year Old Baby do at this age?

As your baby continues to grow, you will notice new and exciting abilities that develop. While babies may progress at different rates, the following are some of the common milestones your baby may reach in this age group:

What Can a 1 Year Old Baby Say?

Speech development is very exciting for parents as they watch their babies become social beings that can interact with others. While every baby develops speech at his or her own rate, the following are some of the common milestones in this age group:

What Does a 1 Year Old Baby Understand?

By about 18 months of age, children begin to understand symbols - the relationship of objects and their meanings. While children may progress at different rates, the following are some of the common milestones children may reach in this age group:

Ages and Stages - 1 Year

What Can a 1 Year Old Baby See?

As your baby’s eyesight develops, they begin to be able to focus on and interact with people and objects. Their motor skills and hand eye coordination continue to get stronger and they are able to start seeing toys across the room and exploring their functions. For example, they can focus on a ball and begin to kick or throw it.

While babies are still developing, many things intrigue them. A 1 year old may become curious about certain toys and objects that have moving parts and can be infatuated with how it works. At this stage, they will enjoy looking at bright colors and pictures in books, especially familiar images. Encourage your baby to explore new places and objects, while pointing out items by name.

1 Year Old Baby Sensory Development: Touch

Your baby will begin to wander around by either crawling or walking to explore their new freedom. While it’s important for them to experience different textures and surfaces in your home, make sure there are no dangerous items that can hurt them. Be aware of small objects that they could choke on, as they are in a phase of putting items in their mouth.

Once these safety precautions are done, allow your 1 year old to roam around and feel different objects. You can let your baby feel the fuzziness of a blanket or a rough concrete surface. Allow them to squish different foods in their hand like blueberries, and discover what items feel the same or have different textures.

What Can My 1 Year Old Baby Taste And Smell?

At 1 years old, your baby is trying different foods and is developing food preferences. The best way to keep their food palette growing is to continue giving them new food items with different tastes and smells. They might not eat it or like it at first, but keep trying. It can take multiple tries before a baby likes a new food.

Encourage your baby to explore outside and experience different scents, like sweet flowers and rain.

How Does a 1 Year Old Baby Interact With Others?

As children begin to walk, they may show independence and try to walk farther away from the parent. Separation anxiety and fear of strangers may lessen, then return at about 18 months. While every child is unique and will develop different personalities, the following are some of the common behavioral traits that may be present in your child:

Ages and Stages - 1 year

1 Year Old Baby Physical Growth

Your doctor has measured your baby’s weight, length and head size (circumference) since birth and put them on a growth chart. This is where to look first if you have questions about your baby’s growth.

When you look at the growth chart with the doctor, compare your baby’s growth with their own growth pattern, not with the growth of other babies. As long as your baby’s growth is steady, there’s usually no reason to worry.

If you’re concerned about your baby’s weight or growth, talk with your doctor, who might ask:

What About a Baby Who Gains Weight Fast?

Parents may wonder: Can babies gain too much weight? But only a few babies and toddlers are overweight. In those cases, advice from the baby’s doctor can help.

Never skip feedings. But do watch for signs from your baby that they are full. Make sure your baby’s calories come from nutritious sources, like fruits, vegetables and fortified cereals after age 1.

Get down on the rug with your baby and encourage physical activity, making sure that your little one has a safe space to move around in. Limit time spent in car seats, strollers and playpens.

One of the best things you can do for your baby is to eat well and be physically active yourself. Your baby has a better chance of growing up fit if good health habits are part of the family’s way of life.

How Long Should My Baby Sleep?

Toddlers are more and more aware of their surroundings, so distractions can disrupt them at bedtime. A simple and consistent bedtime routine is a parent’s best bet for getting a sleepy toddler into bed. Between the ages of 1 and 2, most kids need about 11 -14 hours of sleep a day, including one or two daytime naps.

At around 18 months, or sometimes sooner, most toddlers condense their two naps into one afternoon nap. A toddler who fights the morning nap is probably ready for just an afternoon nap.

Check out our Healthy Sleep for Children guide for more info.

How Can I Help Increase My 1-Year-Old Baby’s Learning And Emotional Security?

Consider the following as ways to foster the emotional security of your 1-year-old:

Reviewed by Dr. Vivi Tran, Los Alamitos Pediatrics, CHOC Primary Care - May 2021

Link nội dung: https://uia.edu.vn/1-year-a71703.html